This Weekend in Long Beach ALMS
Long Beach Debuts For Both Southern California-Based Drivers in the No. 99 Competition Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 in Saturdays Tequila Patrn American Le Mans Series
Los Angeles-based race car driver David CJ Calvert-Jones will partner with Southern California native Ted Ballou in this weekends Tequila Patrn American Le Mans Series (ALMS) race at Long Beach at the wheel of the No. 99 Competition Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3.
Calvert-Jones, a Hollywood helicopter film pilot and emerging race car driver who is better known as CJ in racing and industry circles, received the good news only a week ago that Ballou would be his co-driver. Saturdays two-hour ALMS sprint, in which the No. 99 team will compete in the competitive GTC class, will mark the Long Beach debut for both Southern California based drivers.
Ted is a great driver, he has won some races in Porsches, and I know he wants to get his next victory at our home race in Long Beach as much as I do, Calvert-Jones said. We will both benefit from having a well prepared Competition Motorsports Porsche to race, and I want to thank our new partners The Original Moonshine and AXA Financial who have joined us this weekend."
Ballou, who lives in nearby Corona del Mar, Calif., returned to racing last year at Laguna Seca after a nearly two year absence. He co-drove a GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Porsche with Spencer Pumpelly and nearly pulled off a victory.
I am very excited to run with Competition Motorsports and CJ in what is my home race, Ballou said. It all came together pretty quickly, I really have to thank Brent Koch and everyone at AXA Financial, and I am looking forward to partnering with CJ and getting on that podium in Long Beach. I have always wanted to drive at Long Beach, Laguna last year sort of reignited my drive, and this is a great opportunity.
A native of Australia who moved to Los Angeles to establish his aerial production company Helifilms a decade ago, CJ had never even been to the famous Long Beach street circuit before participating in last weeks Toyota Pro/Celebrity Media Day. He has since been back several times to assist race organizers with various community and promotional events, including school and hospital visits.
Like I have said, this is my local race here in Los Angeles, Calvert-Jones said. Its also the closest we ever get to Australia! So, I am really hoping to do well with Ted and Competition Motorsports this weekend. All of the race organizers and ALMS have made me feel like I am part of the overall event and now I hope we can take a part of itthe first-place trophyhome with us on Saturday night.
Support for No. 99 Competition Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 comes from Blundstone Boots, Footwear & Accessories, Gibson Freight, doddle, The Original Moonshine, AXA Financial, Mitchell Rubber Products and JRZ Suspension Engineering.
Follow CJ Racing on Twitter @RacingCJ and "Like" his page at Facebook.com/RacingCJ
The Tequila Patrn American Le Mans Series at Long Beach is the second round of the 10-race ALMS championship. ABCs coverage begins at 1 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 21 with live coverage is available on ESPN3 starting at 7:15 p.m. EDT on Saturday, April 20. ESPN3 also will show live qualifying starting at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, April 19.
Viewers outside the U.S. can watch races live on ALMS.com. The series website offers additional content such as live in-car cameras, timing and scoring, and car-to-pit radio for all users around the world.
About Competition Motorsports
Founded in 2006 by Bob Faieta, Competition Motorsports has grown into the premier Porsche Cup car race and maintenance facility on the west coast. The team prides itself on attention to detail with fair and honest service. Competition Motorsports offers complete maintenance, track support, fabrication, dyno, and parts for all newer generation Cup cars; and its track support packages cover everything from driver coaching to data acquisition. From its base in Tujunga, Calif., Competition Motorsports fields entries in the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama, as well as the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrn. With three IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama championships under its belt, the teams experience on the track speaks for itself.
